How to Cut Back Lamium

Lamium, better known as spotted dead nettle, is a flowering perennial that thrives in United States Department of Agriculture growing zones 3 through 9, depending on the cultivar. It thrives in a variety of soils and even grows in partially shady locations. The plant stems die back at frost but re-emerge the following spring. Cutting back lamium is an important part of caring for the plant and both removes dead stems and keeps the plant from spreading outside the desired site.

Pruning shears
Rake (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Wait until the spring when the lamium produces flower blooms. After the initial flush of blooms begin to wilt, prune the stems back using pruning shears to neaten the appearance and prevent bare areas near the base. Cut the stems back by 1 to 2 inches, or by up to half their length if you desire a more compact plant.
- 2
  Gather up the trimmed portions, using a rake if needed, and insert them into a composter or place them into the trash.
- 3
  Monitor the plants in the late fall, typically after the first one or two frosts occur. Wait until all of the stems turn brown from tip to base. Do not cut the stems while they are still green, since the plants are not completely dormant and new frosts can damage the root system.
- 4
  Cut all brown stems back to the ground using the pruning shears to neaten the landscape for winter. Discard the cut stems just as you did during the spring pruning.

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